Senate Notice Paper Question No 242 Publication Date: 17 June 2002
Hansard: Page 1924

Defence: HMAS Waterhen

 Senator: Evans

Senator Chris Evans asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 15 April 2002:

With respect to HMAS Waterhen:

  1. Can the department confirm that land adjacent to the base was purchased for the purpose of building accommodation for personnel working in the base.
  2. How much land was purchased.
  3. What is the land currently being used for.
  4. Are there still plans to build accommodation on this land; if so, when will this work begin.
  5. If there are no longer plans to build accommodation on this land: (a) what will it be used for; and (b) is there any intention to dispose of the land.

Senator Hill - The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

  1. I can confirm that the land adjacent to HMAS Waterhen was purchased for the purpose of building residential accommodation.
  2. The area purchased was 1.1ha.
  3. The land is currently used for car parking, equipment storage and testing of deployable equipment.
  4. Defence is reconsidering the planned development of the land within budgetary constraints.
    1. Although the site is ideal for the construction of residential accommodation for crews of ships based in Sydney, it could also be used to accommodate additional Defence functions, or continue to be used for its current purposes.
    2. Defence is continually reviewing its property portfolio to ensure it is being used in the most cost effective and efficient manner, with surplus properties being sold to release funds for more direct capability objectives.

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